The other day, our fearless leader asked us: What makes us different from our competitors? Why should people choose us?

The marketer in me immediately knew how to answer. I could talk about our collective experience and knowledge that makes us a perfect fit. I could boast about our carefully curated buyer network, second to none. And let’s not forget our knack for finding the middle ground and getting deals across the finish line.

But honestly, there’s something we do that’s different from everyone else.

We are heart-led.

I know. Cringe, right? Believe me, I get it. But hang tight, there’s really no other way to say it.

Just last year I hit a point in my career where I started to wonder if I was truly where I needed to be. You know that nagging feeling, like there’s something more you should be doing, an itch you haven’t quite scratched? I’ve always had this deep drive to help others, and there I was, working 40+ hours a week, but not really feeling like I was making an impact where it mattered most.

Then, during a two-hour car ride with my mentor and friend, Mike Lenz, everything shifted. I casually mentioned this feeling to him, and his response was simple but powerful:

"We change people’s lives every day."

I sat with that for a moment. Is that really what we do? Change lives?

But then I started to reflect.

Seller W: Battling terminal cancer, needing to sell his business to ensure his family’s financial security.

Seller X: After a lifetime of 80+ hour work weeks, feeling like they’ve missed out on life, they are ready to retire and live their dream in Sunshine City.

Seller Y: After a devastating family loss, realizing it was time to shift priorities and focus on family.

Seller Z: Having lost his wife - the founder of their business - selling because running the company had become too painful. It was her dream, not his.

These are real people, real stories. And the truth is, Seller W wasn’t even the perfect fit for our firm. But being heart-led meant we couldn’t just turn him away. We had to help. Because deep down, that’s who we are at our core.

Of course, not every seller who comes to us is facing a life crisis. Some are ready for a new adventure or eager to retire after years of hard work. But each and every story behind their decisions are what make this job so rewarding. It’s about learning their journeys, hearing about the sacrifices they made, and seeing the dreams they turned into reality.

It’s a humbling experience, to say the least.

Every day, I find myself looking for those moments of connection. Whether it’s Mike sharing a moment of grief with a client or Ramon going above and beyond to help secure someone’s future, I’m constantly reminded that we do change lives.

And for me, that’s the most fulfilling part of the job.

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So why choose Chinook?

Because we don’t just sell businesses - we walk with you through one of the biggest decisions of your life. We are your guides, navigating you through the twists and turns of this 106-step journey, bringing the expertise, the care, and the relentless drive to get you where you need to be.

We know it’s not just about the deal; it’s about the people behind it. We know every decision, every sale has a future at stake. And we’re not just here to get the job done. We’re here to make sure it’s done right, for you.

Because at the end of the day, your success is our success - and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

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